About the UMN-UMB collaboration

In 2006, the Norwegian government gave the University of Minnesota a $750,000 grant to help create an endowed chair in the fields of bioenergy, genomics and food safety.

The agreement is signed
Photo: Håkon Sparre

The purpose of this cooperation is to form Transatlantic Research Teams of scientists, undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Minnesota (UMN) and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB)

The Norwegian gift was matched by the University of Minnesota. The $1,500,000 fund is administered by the University of Minnesota Foundation.

The revenue from the fund may be used for any purpose which supports the research, teaching and service activity of the chair.

At least six transatlantic research teams within bioenergy, biobased products and food security will be in operation. Bachelor-, Master-, PhD- and PostDoc-students are included in the teams. The two universities will involve other universities in the cooperation. The research teams will conduct breakthrough research to provide sustainable solutions within the fields of bioenergy, biobased products and functional genomics (particularly as it relates to food security).

There will be two part-time chair-holders, one from each of the two universities. The lead position will shift annually.

Their tasks are:1. catalyze the formation of strong research teams and organize annual workshops 2. promote the cooperation 3. include other universities 4. include industry 5. report to the Executive Committee